Clasp device for necklace

ABSTRACT

The present document describes a clasp device for connecting first and second ends of an elongated member used in a necklace or a bracelet comprising first and second connection clasp sections adapted for connection respectively to the first and second ends of the elongated member and adapted to be releasably connected together. At least one of the first and second connection clasp sections includes a releasable portion to connect the clasp device to an associated one of the first and second ends of the elongated member. The releasable portion is adapted for allowing the elongated member to release from the clasp device if sufficient force is applied by the elongated member on the releasable portion.

(a) FIELD

The subject matter disclosed generally relates to clasp devices for necklaces and bracelets. More particularly, the subject matter relates to clasp devices for child safe necklaces and bracelets.

(b) BACKGROUND

Jewelries are popular in many societies. Jewelries may often come in the form of necklaces, defined as articles of jewelry that are worn around the neck, most often made of a string of precious metal, pearls, gems, beads or shells, and sometimes having a pendant attached. They often include a clasp device such as to join the main chain together with ease.

When children are wearing necklaces, potential hazards associated with children's jewelry attached around the neck of a child may occur, as it can catch on objects in the child's environment resulting in strangulation.

There exists standards and/or norms that regulate manufacture and sales of necklaces to children of young ages. More particularly, there exists standards and/or norms that regulate manufacture and sales of necklaces for children of young ages between about 0 and 36 months (3 years).

There is therefore a need for a child safe necklace (or bracelet) and for a clasp device that are safe for children of young ages.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, there is provided a clasp device for connecting an elongated member used in a necklace or a bracelet comprising: a first clasp portion having a first end and a second end; a second clasp portion having a first end and a second end, the second clasp portion being releasably attachable at its first end with the second end of the first clasp portion; a first attachment member extending from the first clasp portion about its first end for attaching a first end of the elongated member; and a substantially flexible second attachment member extending from the second clasp portion about its second end for attaching a second end of the elongated member; wherein when at least one of the first clasp portion, the second clasp portion, the first attachment member, the substantially flexible second attachment member and the elongated member is subjected to a sufficient tension, a gap is created about the substantially flexible second attachment member allowing the elongated member to be released from the substantially flexible second attachment member.

According to another embodiment, the substantially flexible second attachment member comprises a main portion outwardly extending from the second end of the second clasp portion.

According to a further embodiment, the main portion is rotatably extending from and relative to the second end of the second clasp portion.

According to yet another embodiment, the substantially flexible second attachment member further comprises an engaging inwardly curved portion extending from the main portion for interfacing with the elongated member of the necklace or the bracelet.

According to another embodiment, the substantially flexible second attachment member further comprises an end portion extending from the engaging inwardly curved portion capable of displacement between a normally closed position and a safely opened position when at least one of the second clasp portion, the first clasp portion, the elongated member, the first attachment member and the substantially flexible second attachment member is subjected to the sufficient tension.

According to a further embodiment, when the end portion is in the normally closed position, the end portion is located about the main portion, and when the end portion is in the safely opened position, the gap is created between the end portion and the main portion for allowing the elongated member to be released from the attachment member.

According to yet another embodiment, the main portion, the engaging inwardly curved portion and the end portion are made from the same piece of material and form a single unitary part.

According to another embodiment, the same unitary piece of material comprises at least one of: steel, stainless steel, silver and gold.

According to a further embodiment, the first attachment member comprises a ring portion defining a ring engagement member, the ring engagement member connecting the ring portion on the first clasp portion at its first end.

According to yet another embodiment, the sufficient tension is about 15 pounds.

According to a further embodiment, the first clasp portion comprises one of: a male clasp portion and a female clasp portion and further wherein the second clasp portion comprises a respective other one of: the male clasp portion and the female clasp portion.

According to another embodiment, there is provided an attachment member to be mounted on a clasp portion for connecting an elongated member of a necklace or a bracelet to the clasp portion, the attachment member comprising: a main portion outwardly extending from an end of the clasp portion; an engaging inwardly curved portion extending from the main portion for interfacing with the elongated member of the necklace or the bracelet; and an end portion extending from the engaging inwardly curved portion capable of displacement between a normally closed position and a safely opened position when at least one of the clasp portion, the elongated member and the attachment member is subjected to a sufficient force; wherein when the end portion is in the normally closed position, the end portion is located about the main portion, and when the end portion is in the safely opened position, a gap is created between the end portion and the main portion for allowing the elongated member to be released from the attachment member.

According to a further embodiment, the main portion, the engaging inwardly curved and the end portion are made from the same piece of material and form a single unitary part.

According to yet another embodiment, the main portion is rotatably extending from and relative to the end of the clasp portion.

According to another embodiment, the end portion comprises an end outwardly curved portion defining an end portion interfacing with the engaging inwardly curved portion.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a clasp device for connecting first and second ends of an elongated member used in a necklace or a bracelet comprising: first and second connection clasp sections adapted for connection respectively to the first and second ends of the elongated member and adapted to be releasably connected together; at least one of the first and second connection clasp sections including a releasable portion to connect the clasp device to an associated one of the first and second ends of the elongated member; wherein the releasable portion is adapted for allowing the elongated member to release from the clasp device if sufficient force is applied by the elongated member on the releasable portion.

According to a further embodiment, when the sufficient force is applied, the releasable portion is adapted to deform such as to define a gap that allows the elongated member to disengage from the releasable portion.

According to yet another embodiment, the releasable portion is rotatably extending from and relative to a respective one of the at least one of the first and second connection clasp sections.

According to another embodiment, the releasable portion comprises a main portion outwardly extending a respective one of the at least one of the first and second connection clasp sections.

According to a further embodiment, the releasable portion further comprises an engaging inwardly curved portion extending from the main portion for interfacing with the elongated member of the necklace or the bracelet; and an end portion extending from the engaging inwardly curved portion capable of displacement between a normally closed position and a safely opened position when at least one of: the first and second connection clasp sections and the elongated member is subjected to the sufficient force.

Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a necklace in accordance with an embodiment, where in an enlarged view of the clasp device, the substantially flexible second attachment member is shown in a normally closed position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the front and to one side of a clasp device in accordance with another embodiment, the clasp device being shown in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the rear and to another side of the clasp device of FIG. 2, the clasp device being shown in an opened position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of one side of the clasp device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the other side of the clasp device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the clasp device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the clasp device of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a clasp device in accordance with another embodiment, where the substantially flexible second attachment member is shown in a safely opened position. Dotted lines show the substantially flexible second attachment member in the safely opened position while solid lines show the substantially flexible second attachment member in a position between a normally closed position and the safely opened position.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In embodiments there are disclosed child safe necklaces or bracelets, clasp devices (i.e., breakaway safety clasp devices) for child safe necklaces or bracelets and attachment members for clasp devices for child safe necklaces or bracelets.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a necklace 10 in accordance with an embodiment. It is to be noted that the following description will refer to a necklace 10, but that the same applies for a bracelet (10) and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the necklace 10 includes an elongated member 12 such as main chain 12 which has a first end 14 and a second end 16. The main chain 12 of the necklace 10 may further includes decorative parts 17 (i.e., string of precious metal, pearls, gems, beads or shells, and sometimes having a pendant attached) and first and second chain attachment members 19, 21 (i.e., such as first and second chain loops 19, 21) at respectively first and second ends 14, 16 of the main chain 12.

Now referring to FIGS. 1-8, there is shown that the necklace 10 further includes a clasp device 18 for connecting the first end 14 (i.e., first loop 19) and the second end 16 (i.e., second loop 21) of the main chain 12 of the necklace 10. As shown, the clasp device 18 includes a first male clasp portion 20 such as a male clasp portion 20 and a second clasp portion 26 such as a female clasp portion 26. The male clasp portion 20 has a first end 22 and a second end 24. The female clasp portion 26 also has a first end 28 and a second end 30. The female clasp portion 26 is releasably attachable at its first end 28 with the second end 24 of the male clasp portion 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the female clasp portion 26 and the male clasp portion 20 are shown to be releasably attached. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the female clasp portion 26 and the male clasp portion 20 are shown to be releasably attachable. Indeed, the male clasp portion 20 includes a threaded section 23 to be releasably fastened with a corresponding threaded section 25 of the female clasp portion 26. Thus, the female clasp portion 26 and the male clasp portion 20 may be screwed together. It is to be noted that the female clasp portion 26 and the male clasp portion 20 may be configured differently such as to be releasably connectable together. For example, the female clasp portion 26 and the male clasp portion 20 may be magnetically releasably connectable together or may be releasably connected together using other fasteners. It is also to be mentioned that the female clasp portion 26 and the male clasp portion 20 may be replaced by any other suitable first and second clasp portions (i.e., 20, 26) that are releasably attachable or connectable together. Accordingly, for allowing only a substantially flexible second attachment member 34 to deform under a sufficient force, the first and second clasp portions 20, 26 would thus need to open under a force which is greater than the sufficient force (such as to keep the necklace 10 under a single unitary piece when the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 releases the elongated member or main chain 12).

Still referring to FIGS. 1-8, there is shown that the clasp device 18 further includes a first attachment member 32 and a substantially flexible second attachment member 34. The first attachment member 32 extends from the male clasp portion 20 about its first end 22 for attaching the first end 14 (i.e., first loop 19) of the main chain 12. On the other side, the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 extends from the female clasp portion 26 about its second end 30 for attaching the second end 16 (i.e., second loop 21) of the main chain 12. Alternatively, it is to be noted that the first attachment member 32 may extend from the female clasp portion 26 about its first end 22 for attaching the first end 14 (i.e., first loop 19) of the main chain and the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 may extend from male clasp portion 20 about its second end 30 for attaching the second end 16 (i.e., second loop 21) of the main chain 12. According to the configuration of the clasp device 18, when the male clasp portion 20, the female clasp portion 26, the first attachment member 32, the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 and/or the main chain 12 is/are subjected to a sufficient or predetermined tension/force, a gap 36 (FIG. 8) is created about the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 which allows the main chain 12 to be released from the substantially flexible second attachment member 34.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-8, there is shown that the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 includes a main portion 38 which outwardly extends from the second end 30 of the female clasp portion 26. The substantially flexible second attachment member 34 further includes an engaging inwardly curved portion 40 which extends from the main portion 38 for interfacing with the main chain 12 of the necklace or the bracelet 10. The substantially flexible second attachment member 34 further includes an end portion 42 which extends from the engaging inwardly curved portion 40. The main portion 38, the engaging inwardly curved portion 40, and the end portion 42 are capable of displacement between a normally closed position (FIG. 2) and a safely opened position (FIG. 8) when the female clasp portion 26, the male clasp portion 20, the main chain 12, the first attachment member 32 and/or the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 is/are subjected to the sufficient/predetermined tension/force. According to FIG. 8, dotted lines show the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 in the safely opened position while solid lines show the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 in a position between a normally closed position and the safely opened position. It is to be mentioned that the end portion 42 is capable of displacement such as to reach 180° compared to its initial position (i.e., when the substantially flexible second attachment member is in the normally closed position).

Accordingly, when the end portion 42 is in the normally closed position (FIG. 2), the end portion 42 is located about the main portion 38 (i.e., such as to retain the second loop 21 (i.e., second chain attachment member 21) at the second end 16 of the main chain 12 within the hook-like portion defined by the main portion 38, the engaging inwardly curved portion 40 and the end portion 42 together). When the end portion 42 is in the safely opened position (FIG. 8), the gap 36 is created between the end portion 42 and the main portion 38 for allowing the main chain 12 to be released from the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 (i.e., such as to release the second loop 21 (i.e., second chain attachment member 21) at the second end 16 of the main chain 12 from the hook-like portion defined by the main portion 38, the engaging inwardly curved portion 40 and the end portion 42 together, via the gap 36 defined between the main portion 38 and the end portion 42).

According to an embodiment and as better shown in FIG. 2, the end portion 42 comprises an end outwardly curved portion 48 which defines an end portion 50 interfacing with the engaging inwardly curved portion 40.

According to an embodiment, the main portion 38, the engaging inwardly curved portion 40 and the end portion 42 may be made from the same piece of material and form a single unitary part.

According to an embodiment, the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 may be rotatably extending from and relative to the second end 30 of the second clasp portion 26. Thus, the main portion 38 may rotatably extend from the second end 30 of the second clasp portion 26 via a nail, a screw, a bent portion of the main portion 38 and/or a connection of any other suitable configuration that would allow the main portion 38 to rotate about the longitudinal axis (not shown) defined by the second clasp portion (see arrow 100 on FIG. 2). This configuration leads for deformation of the substantially flexible second attachment member 34, such as to allow the elongated member 12 to release the clasp device 18.

According to an embodiment, the same unitary piece of material includes steel, stainless steel, silver, gold, and/or any other suitable material.

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the first attachment member 32 comprises a ring portion 52 which defines a ring engagement member 54. The ring engagement member 54 connects the ring portion 52 on the male clasp portion 20 at its first end 22. The ring engagement member 54 may be, without limitation, welded, glued and/or bonded to the male clasp portion 20.

According to an embodiment, the male clasp portion 20 and the female clasp portion 26 may be of any suitable shape and/or configuration such as to releasably connect together. For example, the male clasp portion 20 and the female clasp portion 26 may be, without limitation, of a cylindrical configuration (as shown), of a rounded or spherical configuration, of a prismatic configuration, and the like.

According to an embodiment, the male and the female clasp portions 20, 26 may define together a length (not shown) which is about less than 20 mm. More preferably, the male and the female clasp portions 20, 26 may define a length which is about 14 mm.

According to an embodiment, the necklace 10 may define a length which is about less than 15 inches, which includes the main chain 12 with the clasp device 18 (which includes the female and male clasp portions 20, 26). More particularly, the necklace 10 may define a length which is about 11-13 inches (11 inches may be for 0-2 years-old—13 inches may be for 2-4 years old). It is also to be mentioned that the necklace 10 may have a longer length (i.e., a necklace 10 could be worn by an adult). The necklace 10, that can be worn by an adult, would also need to include parts that are releasably detachable (i.e., allowing the creation of gap 36 between the end portion 42 and the main portion 38 for allowing the main chain 12 to be released from the substantially flexible second attachment member 34) in order to obtain one detached necklace 10 in a single part after tension have been imparted on one or another part of the necklace 10.

According to an embodiment, the ring portion 52 of the first attachment member 32 may define a diameter of about less than 4 mm. More particularly, the ring portion 52 of the first attachment member 32 may define a diameter of about 2.5 mm.

According to an embodiment, the hook-like portion defined by the main portion 38, the engaging inwardly curved portion 40 and the end portion 42 together may define a diameter of about less than 5 mm. More particularly, the hook-like portion defined by the main portion 38, the engaging inwardly curved portion 40 and the end portion 42 together may define a diameter of about 4 mm.

According to an embodiment, the sufficient tension may be determined based on the different regulations and/or norms established by different countries, institutions, organizations and the like. For example, the sufficient tension may be about 15 pounds and over. Thus, in use, a child under a certain age may wear a necklace 10. Upon interaction between the necklace 10 of the child and an element from the external environment, which may include, without limitation, a bed part, a house part (i.e., a table, a chair, a countertop, a kitchen element, a hook, a fence), a toy, another person, and the like, the second attachment 34 of the female clasp portion 26 will substantially open (i.e., a gap 36 is created about the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 allowing the main chain 12 to be released from the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 as at least the main portion 38, the engaging inwardly curved portion 40 and the end portion 42 are flexible and/or resilient) to release the second end 16 (i.e., second loop 21) of the main chain 12. According to this configuration and the fact that the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 opens from a normally closed position (FIG. 2) to a safely opened position (FIG. 8), there will be no separate parts from the chain member 12, the first end 14 (i.e., first loop 19) of the chain member 12, the second end 16 (i.e., second loop 21) of the chain member 12, the female clasp portion 26, the male clasp portion 20, the first attachment member 32 and the substantially flexible second attachment member 34 that will split. Thus, the child will be safe from strangulation. Only the entire portion of the necklace 10 (i.e., in its safely opened position) will remain near the child in the child environment (i.e., in his bed for example). Additionally, according to the configuration of the necklace 10 described above, when the necklace 10 is subjected to the tension (from 0 to 15 pounds for example), at any moment, no piece or portion of the necklace 10 (i.e., the main chain 12, the male clasp portion 20, the female clasp portion 26, the first attachment member 32 and the substantially flexible second attachment member 34) will be found to show a sharp surface or a dangerous portion. Indeed, as the end portion 42 includes an end outwardly curved portion 48 which defines an end portion 50 interfacing with the engaging inwardly curved portion 40, at no time during the tension process (between 0-15 pounds) the end portion 42 will be found to include a sharp surface.

The present invention will be more readily understood by referring to the following examples which are given to illustrate the invention rather than to limit its scope.

Example 1 Tests Performed on the Necklace Regarding Mechanical Hazards

In 2014, a testing company received an 11-inch necklace 10 for testing purposes.

Some tests were performed. A breakaway tension test, as per ASTM F2923-11, section 12.2 for determination of breakaway features and releases was performed. A use and abuse test, as per ASTM F2923-11, Section 12.3 for determination of potential hazards that would result from the normal use or reasonably foreseeable damage or abuse intended for children of young ages.

Test Results—Breakaway Tension Test

The 11-inch necklace 10 was tested in accordance with ASTM F2923-11, Section 12.2 to address potential hazards associated with children's jewelry attached around the neck of a child, which may catch on objects in the child's environment resulting in strangulation. The test setup was performed under a maximum load of 1 kN and a maximum torque of 3.5 Nm at ambient temperature. The results obtained shows that the necklace 10 intended to be attached around the neck released, either by designed breakaway feature, attachment design or physical properties of the material used, when subjected to 15 pounds of tension in accordance with the breakaway tension test. The results obtained further shows that no hazardous sharp points or hazardous sharp edges were observed during the tension test.

Test Results—Use and Abuse Test

For this particular test, the parameters were as follows:

Impact Test—Age of 18 months or less: Impact medium;

Torque Test—Age of 18 months or less: Torque Wrench and standard torque test clamp;

Tension test—Age of 18 months or less: Digital Force Gauge and long nose vise grip; and

Compression test—Age of 18 months or less: Digital Force Gauge and compression disc.

The results obtained shows that the necklace 10 has no accessible, potentially hazardous sharp points before or after use and abuse test and that the necklace 10 has no accessible, potentially hazardous projections before or after use and abuse test.

While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure. 

1. A clasp device for connecting an elongated member used in a necklace or a bracelet comprising: a first clasp portion having a first end and a second end; a second clasp portion having a first end and a second end, the second clasp portion being releasably attachable at its first end with the second end of the first clasp portion; a first attachment member extending from the first clasp portion about its first end for attaching a first end of the elongated member; and a substantially flexible second attachment member extending from the second clasp portion about its second end for attaching a second end of the elongated member; wherein when at least one of the first clasp portion, the second clasp portion, the first attachment member, the substantially flexible second attachment member and the elongated member is subjected to a sufficient tension, a gap is created about the substantially flexible second attachment member allowing the elongated member to be released from the substantially flexible second attachment member.
 2. The clasp device of claim 1, wherein the substantially flexible second attachment member comprises a main portion outwardly extending from the second end of the second clasp portion.
 3. The clasp device of claim 2, wherein the main portion is rotatably extending from and relative to the second end of the second clasp portion.
 4. The clasp device of claim 2, wherein the substantially flexible second attachment member further comprises an engaging inwardly curved portion extending from the main portion for interfacing with the elongated member of the necklace or the bracelet.
 5. The clasp device of claim 4, wherein the substantially flexible second attachment member further comprises an end portion extending from the engaging inwardly curved portion capable of displacement between a normally closed position and a safely opened position when at least one of the second clasp portion, the first clasp portion, the elongated member, the first attachment member and the substantially flexible second attachment member is subjected to the sufficient tension.
 6. The clasp device of claim 5, wherein when the end portion is in the normally closed position, the end portion is located about the main portion, and when the end portion is in the safely opened position, the gap is created between the end portion and the main portion for allowing the elongated member to be released from the attachment member.
 7. The clasp device of claim 5, wherein the main portion, the engaging inwardly curved portion and the end portion are made from the same piece of material and form a single unitary part.
 8. The clasp device of claim 7, wherein the same unitary piece of material comprises at least one of: steel, stainless steel, silver and gold.
 9. The clasp device of claim 1, wherein the first attachment member comprises a ring portion defining a ring engagement member, the ring engagement member connecting the ring portion on the first clasp portion at its first end.
 10. The clasp device of claim 1, wherein the sufficient tension is about 15 pounds.
 11. The clasp device of claim 1, wherein the first clasp portion comprises one of: a male clasp portion and a female clasp portion and further wherein the second clasp portion comprises a respective other one of: the male clasp portion and the female clasp portion.
 12. An attachment member to be mounted on a clasp portion for connecting an elongated member of a necklace or a bracelet to the clasp portion, the attachment member comprising: a main portion outwardly extending from an end of the clasp portion; an engaging inwardly curved portion extending from the main portion for interfacing with the elongated member of the necklace or the bracelet; and an end portion extending from the engaging inwardly curved portion capable of displacement between a normally closed position and a safely opened position when at least one of the clasp portion, the elongated member and the attachment member is subjected to a sufficient force; wherein when the end portion is in the normally closed position, the end portion is located about the main portion, and when the end portion is in the safely opened position, a gap is created between the end portion and the main portion for allowing the elongated member to be released from the attachment member.
 13. The attachment member of claim 12, wherein the main portion, the engaging inwardly curved and the end portion are made from the same piece of material and form a single unitary part.
 14. The attachment member of claim 12, wherein the main portion is rotatably extending from and relative to the end of the clasp portion.
 15. The attachment member of claim 12, wherein the end portion comprises an end outwardly curved portion defining an end portion interfacing with the engaging inwardly curved portion.
 16. A clasp device for connecting first and second ends of an elongated member used in a necklace or a bracelet comprising: first and second connection clasp sections adapted for connection respectively to the first and second ends of the elongated member and adapted to be releasably connected together; at least one of the first and second connection clasp sections including a releasable portion to connect the clasp device to an associated one of the first and second ends of the elongated member; wherein the releasable portion is adapted for allowing the elongated member to release from the clasp device if sufficient force is applied by the elongated member on the releasable portion.
 17. The clasp device of claim 16, wherein when the sufficient force is applied, the releasable portion is adapted to deform such as to define a gap that allows the elongated member to disengage from the releasable portion.
 18. The clasp device of claim 16, wherein the releasable portion is rotatably extending from and relative to a respective one of the at least one of the first and second connection clasp sections.
 19. The clasp device of claim 16, wherein the releasable portion comprises a main portion outwardly extending a respective one of the at least one of the first and second connection clasp sections.
 20. The clasp device of claim 19, wherein the releasable portion further comprises an engaging inwardly curved portion extending from the main portion for interfacing with the elongated member of the necklace or the bracelet; and an end portion extending from the engaging inwardly curved portion capable of displacement between a normally closed position and a safely opened position when at least one of: the first and second connection clasp sections and the elongated member is subjected to the sufficient force. 